August 18, 2007
Queens the Most Bookish of Boroughs
The libraries of the borough of Queens were announced as being the most utilized in the entire country. The Public Library Statistical Report just announced that Queens public libraries loaned 20.2 million items to residents in 2006, and the borough's on track to retain the top spot after loaning 21 million items in 2007. According to the 2000 federal census, Queens had 2.2 million residents, so that means the average person in the borough is borrowing approximately nine items a year.
Newsday reports on the independent Queens Library organization, which is separate from New York's other public library systems:
6.6 million items available for loan and an annual loan volume of more than 20 million? Those are no dusty stacks! The library's director, Thomas Galante, credited the high circulation numbers to his librarians' training, organization, and community presence . Appropriately for the most ethnically diverse borough in the city, Queens libraries offer popular titles in 30 different languages. Branches also offer programs for those interested in English literacy and living in America.
The Queens Library––which is separate from the New York Public Library––operates a central facility, 61 community branches, seven adult learning centers and two family literacy centers. It has more than 6.6 million books, videos and other items on loan.
(NYC - Queens - Flushing: Queens Library, by wallyg at flickr)
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People actually still borrow books? Wow...
This is news to me...because when I lived in Astoria (2001-2002) I can't remember there being one (usable) bookstore anywhere.
This is news to me...because when I lived in Astoria (2001-2002) I can't remember there being a single bookstore. So maybe people just don't like to pay for books in Queens.
Perhaps that's why people take such advantage of Queens' libraries.
My local library in Brooklyn is crap. People go there just to use the PCs or get some relief from the heat. Some years ago this library even had a large collection of books prominently labeled (above the section) something like "Satanic Interest." I guess someone finally objected.
I used to download latina porn onto a floppy disk back in the day. Do patrons still utilize this useful library feature? BTW I have since become more of an ebony connoisseur - go figure!
#5 And don't forget the many cheapskates, including yours truly, whose sole purpose in life is to read the Times and Journal in the quiet sanctuary which is the local public library.
most asians live in queens. Most asians get into good colleges. Fuck those asians.
Queens Library has the best CD collection of the libraries in New York. I like music and I stay broke. That's why I go out to Queens semi-regularly with my laptop to import their wares and improve my MP3 collection. (The only problem is that Queens Library only lets you take out and return CDs to their home location - so I get to explore regions I never normally go to. Which is fun.)
Your analysis is way off base. "Bookish"? You can't prove that. Without further breakdown of the statistics, there is no way of knowing if the majority of the items loaned out are books or movies. I bet it's movies.
You're missing the point. It doesn't matter if it's music, videos, homework help materials, how-to, business info or just plain leisure reading. That library has something for everybody and it's always free. Free wi-fi, free use of the desktops, free a/c -- how can you beat that deal?